Fire extinguisher



*Sept M, w23.

A. E. KIRCHER FIRE' EXTINGUISHER Filed Sent. l5 1917 Patented Sept. ll, 1923 lgttiyttiii rieure stares reen-r irrite;

ALBERT E. KIRCI-IER, OF CHICAGO7 ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CONTINENTAL DISTRIBU- TORS, INC., OF CHICAGO, III1II-TOIS,"A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FIRE Ex'rruecsnnn.

Application filed September 15, 1917. Serial No. 191,516.

To aZZ whom it may concern: n

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. KiRoHnn, a citizen ot the United States, residing 'in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to tire extinguishers and has more particular reference to extinguishers of the portable hand spring operated type, and has for its principal object the construction of an extinguisher of this character which may be charged and positioned for use with the liquid resting upon the plunger and this Without danger of such liquid leaking past the plunger.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an extinguisher of this char- 20 acter, the parts ot which will be so constructed and arranged that leakage past the plunger when the extinguisher isy discharged will be eliminated or reduced to a negligible minimum. l

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and .improved valve 'for such an extinguisher adapted Ato direct the stream from the extinguisher in a form preventing it from spraying adjacent to the nozzle. j

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an extinguisher of simple and economic construction composed of strong durable parts not likely to become damaged or disarranged in the use to which such extinguisher may be subjected, or to require `frequent repair or replacement oil said parts.

Another object oi the invention is the provision of an extinguisher having a springdriven plunger' carrying a plunger stem moving through the spring, said extin- Iguisher being provided with means for accurately guiding the plunger through the control or' the movement ot the stem.

A further object of the invention is the provision ot an extinguisher having a small protruding discharge nozzle which may be readily aimed at the base of a. fire and controllable by an operating nozzle arm following generally the contour of the discharge end of the extinguisher to permit the accurate positioning of the :nozzle parte in fully opened and fully closed relation determined by appropriately arranged indicators on the` extinguisher body.

` Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is betterv understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a prev'ferred embodiment thereof.

On the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side view, partially in elevationv and partially in section ot an extinguisher embodying my present invention; i

F ig. 2 is a longitudinal section through 4the plunger and adjacent parts;

F ig. 3 is a similar' view through a nozzle; and Fig. 4lis a partial detailed sectional view through the refill cap. j

F or the purpose of illustrating myv present invention I have shown on the drawing a fire extinguisher comprising a casing, having a large cylindrical portion 11 containing' lire extinguishing material, and a smaller rear portion 12 containing actuating mechanism. The forward or larger 'portion 11 is provided at its forward end with a reduced nozzle receiving neck 13 and at its rear end is threaded on its outer face at 14 for engagement with the rear or smaller casing portion 127 the adjacent en d of this latter portion faring outwardly at 15 and providing a flange 16 carrying threads engaging the threads 141-. A plunger generally indicated in Fig. 1 by reference character 17 is mounted to move in the casing part 11 and this vplunger is actuated when the extinguisher is to be discharged bv a pair ot powerful springs 1S and 19. Said springs bearing at one. end on the rear of the plunger and at the other against a disk 21 disposed at the rear end ot the smaller or rear casing part 12. rlhe end of the casing part 12 is inturned at 22 behind the disk 21 and a cap 23 is threaded over this end of the casing part-'12, as indicated at 24. The plunger is provided with a stem 25 extending rearwardly and or' sufficient length to permit an end 26 to protrude through the cap 23 when the plunger is retracted. The stem 25 is provided with a recess 27, adjacent the end 26 and so located as to be disposed 'Within cap, when thepluugerfs in retracted position. A locking element 28, pivotally mounted in the cap 23 and operable by a finger piece or lever 29 is engaged in the recess' oi' the plunger rod or stein to hold the plunger against the pressure o'l the v spring.

Fire extineuishinoali uids ada ted to gasl C :n ity and torni a smothering gas blanket over the fire are oi" penetrating character and require peculiarly tight closures to prevent leakage. In the extinguisher embodying` my present invention and shown on the drawingn fing, I have provided means for preventing the liquid leaking past the plunger, when the plunger is retracted and quiescent and means also for .preventing it leaking by the lund'er when the plunger is inovino` under C A. D Z'J the vaction of the springs and forcing the fliquid out of the extinguisher under ,pressure.

The plunger consists of a body piece 3l, cupped at its center to receive the springs and having an outwardly extending flange i32, slightly less in outer diameter than the inner diameter oit the easingpart l2. A cup washer 33 ot leather or other` suitable material is mounted upon the forward face of the liange32 against which it is held by l la holdingannulus or disk 34Cl soldered or oth- .30.

erwise. secured to the flange 32. Thiscup washer makes iirm contact with the container wall. The `means provided in the present instance for preventing leakage 'past thev plunger when the plungerV is rejtracted and quiescent will new be described. A ring 35 having an inwardly extending -flange 86" is soldered .and sweated in the rear'end oit the casing part 11. The flange is vprovidedv with a 'facing or layer fot lead ory vother soft suitable material on its upper face. A spring liange or `annulus 38 hasy one yedge 39 securely fastened to the inner under edge et the 'flange SQandi-om VAthisinner under edge the annulusf eX- tends downwardly and outwardly to above the facing 37 ot the flange 36. At its outer edge a wedge shapedring t1 is securedand eid-endsv downwardly, having a sharpened lo-wer edge embedded in the facing 37, when the plunger is locked in retracted position.

The ring ll carries two sharpened edges, one being located within and abovethe other so that should the plunger be pulled backin too great degree or it through repeated use the outer lower edge cuts through or nearly throughv the 'facing .37,

`the lock nut. ,ing the reduced portion holds the cap .inner face of the container both 'closed and open.

in action will now be described. The plunger rod in the present instance is fastened te the plunger by a lock nut 4t2, which engages a threaded reduced end i3 of the plunger rod, this end extending through the plunger body 3l and being preferably also threadedly engaged therewith. -The lock nut 42 is provided with -a central threaded aperture la beyond the end of the plunger rod and has a reduced portion 45 extending outwardly. A. cap LG having a peripheral flange t7 extending over and adapted to enthe'cup washer 33 is held loosely on the forwardly extending. reduced portion oi' A langed collar Li8 embracagainst outward movement and the collar s held in place by a screw 49 threaded into the aperture 4:4. The edge ott `the cup washer is beveled as indicated at 51 for engagement with the flange 47 so that when thesprings are released the reacting pressure of the liquid will force the cap back against the cup washer spreading it into more tight engagement with the side of thel container, the wedge shapedextremity ot the cup washer not only bearing against the part 11 but serving valso to scrape the liquid therefrom whereby substantially allot1 the liquid is prevented from passing the plunger.

l have also provided anew and improved.; nozzle adapted to prevent any leakage when This nozzle comprisesV as'tationarycasing Vpart 61 having a reduced stem 62 threadedly engaged in jthey neck 13 ofthe vcontainer body. TNithin this` casing part is mounted a. quick *opening .valve membcrf, haying a tapered bore 64, Aprovidinga lsmallgoutlet opening` 6,5, which directsthestieain without spraying. Two slots G6 are provided through the casing .part (Si, said slots being inclined and extending through approximately 900. I Two pins 67 extend out fromthe valve member and take intoy the slots, this arrangement providinga t'ull openingand closing of the valve in aquartei' turn. ln assembling the valve,V or noazlethe valve member is' positioned in the casingwithout the pins and 1 the pins are then insertedthrough the slots. A bandGS is then soldered about the por- ,tion' oi? the valve casing above the container end to close the opening through the slots. The inner end oi the valve member'is provided with a head G9, preferably of brass or other hard metal, soldered on to said valve member, openings 7l being provided through. the valvemeinber and above the head 69 tov permit discharge of the liquid, The head 69 is adapted to close against the inner end of the casing member 62to provide alseal.` In order that this seal may be suiliciently tight an inset of lead 72 or othersoft metal is provided in the end of the casing membe-r 6l, which inset is adapted to be engaged by a raised edge or rib 73 on the adjacent face of the head 69. In order that no liquid may issue from the extinguisher except through the nozzle opening 65, I provide means for preventing leakage out between the valve member and the casing part 6l when the valve is open. The bore through the casing member is enlarged at 74 in the forward part and the valve member is shaped to lit therein, providing a shoulder 75 on which is formed a raised edge or rib 7 6. This rib or edge is adapted to close against a soft metal packing 77 provided at the inner extremity of the enlargement of the bore.

The nozzle is adapted to loe moved to open and closed positions by an operating handle or finger piece 78. This handle or finger piece carries a perforated collar 7 9 engaged over the outer end of the valve member, being held in place and against independent angular movement by a set screw 81. The handle or finger piece is bent at 82 to extend down alongside the neck of the extinguisher and at and beyond a point S3 tov follow the end configuration of the container body. At its free extremity the handle is provided with an outwardly extending wing Si adapted to be engaged by the hand of the operator which is holding the forward end of the extinguisher when it is desired to use the same. In order that the extinguisher may be fully opened or completely closed upon appropriate movement of the nozzle handle, indicators 85 and 86 are provided, movement of the handle over the open and shut indications bringing the valve to the desired positions, respectively and advising the operator whether the valve is open or shut. The provision of these indicators also enables anyone inspecting the device to tell whether the nozzle is closed fully as it should be when the extinguisher is not in use.

In order that the plunger may be guided accurately in its opening and retractive movements,I provide a guide for the stem 25, which is located within the springs. This guide comprises a tube 87, having an end 88, secured to the disk 21 and extending into the casing part 12 a sufficient distance to remain about the stem when the plunger has reached the end of its operative stroke. It is intended that the plunger 'be returned to normal operative position by engaging a suitable tool or implement with the rear end of the plunger rod or stem, thereafter pulling the stem back until its end protrudes through the cap 23. The tube 87 forms a guide for this tool or implement, thereby facilitating the recharging operation.

In order that the nozzle may not have to be removed in recharging the extinguisher with the consequent possibility of destroying the accuracy of the indicators through the adjustment of the nozzle to a changed position, I provided a relilling opening S9, formed by inserting a valve seat member 91 in the casing or container wall, which valve seat member is threaded internally and adapted to receive a refill cap or closure 92. This cap is provided with a raised edge or rib 93 adapted to seat against a soft metal insert 94 forming a seat.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing without further description and it will be obvious that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the device, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention or sacrilicing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: I l

l. In a lire extinguisher, the combination of a container for containing a fluid tirel tinguishing material, a plunger movable therein for ejecting said material, spring actuating means for actuating said plunger, a seat behind said plunger, and means for holding said plunger' against said seat when the extinguisher is charged.

2. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a container adapted to contain fire extinguishing material in one end thereof, a plunger movable in said end of said container mechanism located in the other end of said container for operating said plunger to expel said lire extinguishing material, and means behind said plunger for preventing leakage of thel fire extinguishing material into the end containing said actuating mechanism.

3. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a container adapted to contain lire extinguishing material in one end thereof, a plunger movable in said end of said con tainer, mechanism located in the other end of the container for operating said plunger to expel said fire extinguishing material, and means behind said plunger for preventing leakage of the fire extinguishing material into the end containing said actuating mechanism, a part of said means being carried by. said plunger'.

le In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a container, a plunger mounted therein, pressure means acting upon the rear face of said plunger, a stop within the container and against which the plunger' may be seated when the extinguisher is ready for discharge, said plunger and said stop co-oper ating to prevent passage of penetrating lire extinguisher fluid.

5. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a container, a plunger mounted therein, pressure means acting upon the rear face of said plunger, a stop within the container and against which the plunger may be seated when the extinguisher is ready for discharge, the engaging parts of said plunger and stopping being composed of diiferent metals and one said part embedding itself in the other when said plunger is seated.

6. In a iire extinguisher, the combination of a container, a plunger mounted therein, pressure means acting upon the rear face of said plunger, a stop Within. the container and against which the plungerfmay be seated when the extinguisher is ready for discharge, one of the engaging parts of said plunger and stop being embedded in the other.

7. In a iire extinguisher, the combination of a container, a plunger mounted therein, pressure means acting upon the rear face of said plunger, a stop Within the container and against which the plunger may be seated when the extinguisher is ready for discharge, the interengaging parts of said stop and plunger comprising flanges angularly arranged with respect to each other.

8. In a fire extinguisher, the combination ,of a container, a plunger mounted therein,

pressure means acting upon the vrear face of said plunger, a stop Within the container and against which the plunger may be seated when the extinguisher is ready for discharge, the interengaging parts of said stop and plunger comprising flanges angularly arranged with respect to each other, one of said flanges being sharpened at its edge and entering into the material of the other.

9. ln a iire extinguisher, the combination of a container, a plunger mounted therein, pressure means acting upon the rear face of said plunger, a stop Within the container and against which the plunger may be seated when the extinguisher is ready for discharge, the interengaging parts of said stop ther-ein for expelling the same, means for preventing leakage of tire extinguishing material past the plunger when the plunger is quiescent, land subsequently acting means `for preventing material leaking past the plunger when the plunger" is operating.

Signed in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ALBERT E. KIRCHER. Nitnessesz f v ,loi-iN C. CARPENTER,

ETHEL Woon. 

